Markets across the capital city of Hanoi are teeming with fresh produce and traditional offerings as locals are preparing to bid farewell to the ong Cong (Land Genie) and ong Tao (Kitchen Gods) to the heaven, an important precursor to the Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations.
As the legend goes, ong Cong is the one in charge of land while ong Tao, consisting of two males and one female, are those who keep a watch over kitchen affairs of a family. They take note of a family’s issues in a year and will ride carps back to the Heaven on the 23rd day of the last lunar month to report all the good and bad things of that family to the God of Heaven. While the official date is still several days away, many families have begun their celebrations as early as January 18 (the 19th day of the last lunar month).
Traditional and wholesale markets across Hanoi such as Kim Lien (Dong Da district), Thanh Cong (Ba Dinh district), and Nguyen Cong Tru and Hom Duc Vien (Hai Ba Trung district) have offered abundant supplies at stable prices despite increasing demands.
Nguyen Thi Thuan, a fruit vendor at Trai Gang market (Hai Ba Trung district), reported modest price rises for fresh fruits, with dragon fruits at VND50,000 – VND60,000 (US$1.97-2.37) per kilogram, watermelon VND25,000 – VND30,000 per kilogram, and imported Chilean cherries VND450,000 – VND500,000 per kilogram.
Vegetables remain particularly affordable due to favorable weather conditions, with broccoli at VND12,000 – VND18,000 per kilogram, carrot VND8,000 – VND10,000 per kilogram, and cucumber VND15,000 per kilogram, among others.
Meanwhile, fresh seafood prices remain steady, with tiger prawns ranging from VND250,000 to VND400,000 per kilogram, squid VND150,000-VND250,000 per kilogram, and sturgeon at VND330,000 per kilogram.
Similarly, meat prices show stability with pork at VND130,000-VND150,000 per kilogram and beef VND220,000-VND270,000 per kilogram, while poultry prices remain competitive with roosters at VND110,000-VND120,000 per kilogram and hens slightly lower at VND90,000-VND100,000 per kilogram.
The red carps for the ritual remain reasonably priced at VND25,000-VND75,000 for three fish, depending on sizes. Votive paper offerings and ceremonial items are sold at VND50,000-VND150,000 per set.
Supermarkets are also experiencing a 20-30 percent surge in customer traffic. Go! Thang Long Supermarket's Director Nguyen Minh Tuan said the supermarket increased their stock by 15 percent compared to the 2024 Lunar New Year, with 90 percent being high-quality Vietnamese products. Besides, it has joined hands with suppliers to launch promotional programs to stimulate consumption.
According to Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade Nguyen Kieu Oanh, the city has worked with businesses to increase the inventory by 5-20 percent as compared to the same time of 2024. Notably, 22 retail enterprises have committed to maintaining stable prices for essential goods throughout the peak shopping season.
